Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I would like to warmly welcome to our meeting Ms Judith Thompson, Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, and Mr. John Beggs, secretary to the Commission for Victims and Survivors. We will invite witnesses to give their opening statements, which will be followed by some questions from the committee. First, however, some notices are required.

I remind members, guests and those in the Visitors Gallery to please ensure that their mobile telephones, tablets etc. are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting, as they cause interference with the recording equipment in the committee rooms, even when in silent mode.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite the witnesses to make their opening statements.